Yulia Grigoryants is an independent photographer from Armenia. She covers social, cultural, and human rights issues around the world, including conflict zones. Born in Azerbaijan, she fled the country in 1988 because of the violence against the Armenian population, which was followed with a large-scale war. She grew up during a time of important changes for the region, such as the transition from the Soviet system to independence, the devastating earthquake in Armenia, and years of war and social-economic hardship. Grigoryants was shortlisted for the Sony World Photography award and won Gold at Prix de la Photographie (2017). She was nominated for the Lucie Award. Grigoryants’ work has been exhibited in France at the Council of Europe’s house, England, Russia, China, and published internationally, including in the Washington Post and Al Jazeera. (Photo shot in Gyumri, Armenia 2016. Photo sponsors: Sam Cohen and Kimberly Van Dyk.)